Chapter 108: Why So Mysterious?

The two of them quietly followed for a while, saw Jiang Jiaojiao and the man part ways at the department store entrance; the man carefully packed the items Jiang Jiaojiao bought, then each left in different directions.

When Jiang Jiaojiao's figure disappeared around the corner, Jiang Ran pulled Su Ruan from their hiding spot, stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Tsk… I didn't expect my sister's secrecy work to be so good! That guy looks like a cultured person, and I have no idea what he does."

Su Ruan laughed, looping her arm through his: "Alright, stop overthinking. I think that man is quite upright and was very considerate toward your sister."

"When the time is right, sister will naturally tell the family. We'll just act as if we don't know, so we don't pressure her."

Jiang Ran, though still a bit uneasy, thought his wife was right, so he restrained his curiosity and nodded, "Okay, I'll follow your lead."

"But I have to discreetly investigate his background; I can't let my sister be taken advantage of!"

In the evening, fragrant aromas of food drifted from the Jiang Family Courtyard.

In the Main Hall, warm light bathed the family as they gathered around a square table, ready for dinner.

Li Huijuan prepared her signature braised ribbon fish, garlic sautéed greens, and a steaming pot of radish and pork rib soup, celebrating the young couple's decision on a car today.

Jiang Ran and Su Ruan sat side by side, exchanging a knowing glance, both recalling the afternoon encounter at the department store.

Looking again at Jiang Jiaojiao, she indeed wore a smiling expression, her mouth corners involuntarily lifted, and even while picking up vegetables with chopsticks, she softly hummed an unknown tune.

That look, immersed in some kind of joy, was completely different from her usual lively demeanor.

Jiang Ran scooped a bite of rice, speaking casually, his gaze inquisitive: "Sister, what good thing has happened to you lately? Why so happy?"

Su Ruan chimed in from beside him, playing along: "Exactly, you're even humming while eating; I'm almost not recognizing you."

When he said that, Jiang Nainai immediately resonated. The elderly lady smiled at her granddaughter, agreeing: "Yes, Jiaojiao, Grandma noticed too; these past two days the weather's nice and you've been humming happily. I never knew you had this little habit."

"Quickly tell Grandma, is there something joyous at work? Or… have you made a new friend?"

The old woman's gaze held affection and a barely perceptible hint of expectation.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo, though silent, set down their chopsticks and looked at their daughter with curiosity.

They both sensed Jiang Jiaojiao's unusually different mood lately.

Suddenly the center of attention, Jiang Jiaojiao's hand holding the chopsticks paused, a flash of panic and shyness crossing her face.

She subconsciously glanced at her parents and grandmother, her heart pounding.

She and that partner indeed got along well and liked each other, but the relationship wasn't officially settled; she didn't want to reveal it to family so soon, fearing any future mishap would leave everyone in vain joy.

Moreover… she still hadn't figured out how to tell the family.

So she quickly lowered her head, picked a piece of greens to mask her feelings, her voice a bit vague yet deliberately relaxed: "Huh? Is there? I never kept humming… maybe… maybe the weather's been nice lately, so my mood improved! Nothing special, really!"

Her overcompensating demeanor couldn't fool the sharp‑eyed people present.

Li Huijuan and Jiang Jianguo exchanged a glance, understanding that their daughter truly had a situation, but she wasn't ready to speak yet.

Grandma Jiang, seasoned and perceptive, even read a clue from the flush at her granddaughter's ear root, yet she didn't expose it, cheerfully going along: "As long as you're in a good mood, that's what matters! Eat more, eat more."

Jiang Ran, however, wasn't so easily fooled; he eyed his sister skeptically: "Good weather? It's already winter, it's chilly outside, what weather could be good?"

"Sister, you're off, really off!"

Su Ruan gave Jiang Ran a gentle kick under the table, signaling him not to press too hard.

She smiled, picking a piece of ribbon fish for Jiang Jiaojiao, shifting the topic: "Sister, try Mom's ribbon fish; it's especially flavorful today."

"Jiang Ran, you eat quickly too; after dinner we still need to discuss what color to choose for the new car's interior, right?"

Jiang Ran caught his wife's cue; though his curiosity still pricked him like a cat, he reluctantly fell silent, buried his head in his food, yet his gaze kept flicking toward Jiang Jiaojiao.

Jiang Jiaojiao gave Su Ruan a grateful glance and quickly continued: "Right, right, buying a car is a big deal; the interior must be chosen carefully."

She tried to steer the conversation toward the car, asking Jiang Ran and Su Ruan about the details of the test drive: which model they liked today, its performance, whether the price was suitable, and so on.

Only then did the family's conversation shift from Jiang Jiaojiao's unusually good mood to a heated discussion about buying a car.

Jiang Ran instantly perked up, vividly describing the many advantages of that silver‑gray Shanghai sedan, as if he'd already been cruising around in it for several laps.

After dinner, Jiang Ran helped Li Huijuan clear the dishes, while Su Ruan kept Jiang Nainai company in the Main Hall.

Jiang Jiaojiao excused herself to tidy up, slipped back to her own room, closed the door, leaned against the frame, finally letting out a long sigh and patting her slightly flushed cheeks.

Inside, she couldn't help but think of that gentleman whose words were always gentle; her mouth corner lifted uncontrollably again.

In the Main Hall, Jiang Nainai held Su Ruan's hand, lowered her voice, smiling: "RuanRuan, you and Ranran… do you know something? That girl Jiaojiao must be in a situation!"

Su Ruan looked at her grandmother's gossipy yet expectant eyes, couldn't help laughing, and whispered back: "Grandma, you're really something!"

"But since sister doesn't want to talk now, we'll just pretend we don't know and give her some space."

"I reckon when the time comes, she'll naturally tell everyone."

Jiang Nainai nodded in agreement: "That's how it works! Young people have their own way of interacting; we just wait for good news!"

The old lady's eyes were full of hope for her granddaughter's happiness.

In the kitchen, Jiang Ran washed dishes while muttering to Li Huijuan: "Mom, what's up with my sister? So mysterious…"

Li Huijuan laughed, glared at him: "Your sister's grown up; it's normal to have her own concerns. Stop prying and don't cause trouble, got it?"

Jiang Ran pursed his lips, reluctantly uttering a "oh."

It had been less than two days since that incident, and the weather grew colder; the north wind howled across the streets, pedestrians becoming scarcer. Jiang

Jiang Ran left early in the morning to check out the newly arrived winter fabrics, while Su Ruan stayed in the shop, with Douzi and Yaya sorting orders and inventory.

The cold kept shoppers away, making the store feel a bit empty, yet the reputation they'd built and their unique styles kept custom order numbers steady, keeping them busy.

Douzi was carefully dusting the hangers with a feather duster, while Yaya perched at the counter, attentively watching Su Ruan reconcile the ledger, her tiny figure very focused.

In the afternoon, the shop door swung open, ushering in a gust of cold air.

Su Ruan looked up, surprised to see Jiang Jiaojiao entering, wrapped in a thick scarf, her face showing a mix of excitement and nervousness, her eyes scanning the shop.

"Sister? Why are you here? Come in, warm up."

Su Ruan set down her pen, smiling as she greeted her.

Jiang Jiaojiao removed her scarf, exhaled a puff of white breath, lowered her voice, and asked mysteriously: "RuanRuan, is that boy Jiang Ran not here?"

?? The update is much later today! Tomorrow's update will be on time, hehe!